ISO 27001 Experts in Frankfurt

2nd LoD/Change the Bank (CtB)

• CtB: External consultant and workstream lead for rectifying findings by BaFin following a special IT audit in the 2nd LoD, management of the work package for revising the ICT Risk Management & ICT Asset Classification in accordance with DORA Chapter 2, the processes for structural analysis, protection requirements, and control assessments (4 FTEs).

• Delivery of various end-customer projects in server and network infrastructure on time, in quality, and within budget.
• Project 1: Firewall renewal, replacement of an ASA firewall with a Fortinet firewall at an automotive supplier.
• Project 2: Migration of file services from dedicated servers at 5 branch locations into a central managed file service, including DHCP, directory, and print services, as well as decommissioning of the old domain controllers.
• Project 3: Renewal of the network infrastructure at the headquarters and branch locations of a logistics company and transition of the LAN, WLAN, and firewall environments into a managed network service.
• Project 4: Network renewal, replacement of the core and access switches at the headquarters of a medical technology company and transition into a managed network service.
• Project 5: Firewall renewal, replacement of an ASA firewall with a Fortinet firewall for a city.
• Environment: ASA and Fortinet firewalls, Cisco network components, ITSM Heat/Ivanti, Confluence.

• Led discovery phase and POC for Shopware to Shopify Plus migration across EMEA markets, evaluating platform suitability, technical architecture, and multi-brand/multi-country capabilities against business requirements.
• Designed reference architecture for Shopify Plus implementation incorporating headless front-end patterns (Vue.js, Nuxt.js), CMS integration (Magnolia), and Azure middleware (APIM, Functions, Logic Apps, Service Bus) for 11 EMEA markets.
• Defined migration strategy analyzing data mapping, cutover approach, and zero-downtime deployment patterns using Varnish caching, GitOps pipelines, and CI/CD orchestration across six vendor teams.
• Architected multi-tenant Shopify Plus governance model with centralized admin, localized storefront customization, and compliance controls (GDPR, data residency).
• Prototyped AI-driven search optimization (LLM.txt, JSON-LD) for product discoverability in Google AI results, demonstrating post-launch performance opportunities.
• Defined EMEA expansion roadmap for 15+ markets through C-level strategic workshops, identifying phased rollout, market-specific configurations, and resource requirements.
• Tech Stack: React, Nuxt.js, Vue.js, Magnolia CMS, Shopware, Shopify Plus, Azure (APIM, Functions, Logic Apps, Service Bus, Front Door), Varnish, SAP, MS Dynamics, Docker, Kubernetes, GitHub Actions, PostgreSQL, Kafka

• Platform established and running stably; deliberately reducing my involvement to refocus on an engineering mandate in the financial sector.
• Built an own SaaS learning platform from the ground up and scaled it to over 20,000 users (over 6,000 courses sold, B2C and B2B); end-to-end ownership from development through infrastructure to operations.
• Built a lab environment that provisions an isolated Linux container per user (Docker, Traefik, Go), including automatic provisioning and a dedicated subdomain per user.
• Integrated LLM features into the product and accelerated development end-to-end with AI-assisted workflows (Claude Code, Codex); CI/CD with automated tests.

• Management and optimization of a portfolio of about 100 projects (launches, in-field solutions, data & analytics, digital solutions, digital products)
• Optimization of the existing project standard (playbook) and alignment with the European and global organization (USA)
• Coaching project managers on setup, planning, cooperation with business, GDPR, GxP, data security and launches
• Preparing projects for works council information and project closeout communication
• Optimization of resource management (tracking, allocation, prioritization)
• Taking over individual project leads (off-/transboarding, event management, checking whether WhatsApp is allowed on a business smartphone)
• Supporting the hiring of external project managers
• Optimization of meeting structure, project controlling (KPIs), change and demand management
• Optimization of risk, issue, dependency and quality management and support during internal audits (GxP)
• Optimization of the portfolio steering tool (Smartsheet) on national, European and global level
• Design and implementation of a Business Value Complexity Scoring
• Building a strategic PMO with a sister department and optimizing cross-functional teams
• Reporting, communication and escalation at management level
• Leadership coaching for several future leaders (short-time assignment)
• Development of the concepts "PPM as a Service" and "Internal Customer Approach"
• Development and review of a concept "AI Data Governance" including roles and processes
• Selection and onboarding of the successor

• Design and global rollout of sensitivity labels (confidentiality labels) for automated classification and encryption of business-critical data.
• Definition and rollout of Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies to protect IP and personal data across endpoints, Exchange, SharePoint, Teams, and non-Microsoft clouds.
• Setup of Insider Risk Management policies to detect and contain excessive data leaks and risky user behavior.
• Implementation of GDPR and retention requirements through automated retention policies and structured records management.
• Technical support for legal teams in internal and external investigations using eDiscovery (Standard/Premium) and Content Search.
• Continuous improvement of the security and compliance level by reviewing the Microsoft Compliance Manager and closing gaps (regulations such as ISO 27001, NIS-2)

• Built and successfully certified the Information Security Management System (ISMS) according to ISO 27001 in seven country organizations (Ghana, India, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania).
• Full implementation of the ISMS from kick-off phase to certification, including defining the governance structure and process landscape.
• Developed and delivered target-group-specific trainings, workshops, and coaching sessions for local responsible persons on the basics of information security and ISMS operations.
• Designed and continuously improved training concepts and content to increase understanding and acceptance.
• Identified and implemented improvements in processes and tools, including risk management for international projects.
• Optimized central ISMS core processes from the idea through pilot operation and fine-tuning to global rollout.
• Optimized knowledge management, as well as work aids and methods for the global ISMS team.
• Built and moderated cross-functional coordination with key interfaces to the ISMS.
• Microsoft Teams, Excel, SharePoint Lists, Power Apps.

• Holistic responsibility for modernizing and expanding federal networks and upgrading critical data center and telecom infrastructure in the high-security agency environment of BDBOS
• Planning and management of the expansion of national BOS network infrastructure in the VS-NfD/KRITIS environment with technical decision authority at the architecture and component level (Cisco, Layer 2/3, WAN redundancy)
• Planning, tendering (EVB-IT/UVgO) and oversight of the upgrade of security-critical telecom infrastructure for emergency call 110/112 (ACD)
• Capacity planning, rack integration, structured cabling, power supply, cooling concept (CRAC/In-Row) and DCIM monitoring for data center expansion
• Building the IT department from scratch: structures, governance, processes, team recruiting, vendor selection and long-term IT strategy
• Planning and managing infrastructure and application migrations: migration strategies, batch planning, hypercare stabilization and rollback concepts
• Creating vendor-neutral specifications (telecom systems, signature solutions) according to EVB-IT and UVgO; contract award and vendor management
• Setting up a secure IT environment according to BSI basic protection, ISO 27001 and VS-NfD; developing IT security concepts and CMDB analyses
• Hands-on program leadership: decision papers for management and steering committees, risk management, reporting and change request control

• Recognition of national notified bodies
• Preparation of cybersecurity competency reports
• EU Radio Equipment Directive

• Led assessment and preparation for finance and business management transformation including roll-out of SAP S/4 HANA Cloud, Public Edition.
• Enhanced financial and project reporting by streamlining tools and introducing a management dashboard.
• Introduced opportunity management reporting as part of business operations activities.
• Prepared annual financial statements (HGB).
• Directed annual budget development and aligned it with the ExCo.

• Project manager controlling the update to ISO 27001:2022 (certification from ISO 27002:2013 to ISO 27002:2022) including gap analysis, project planning, preparation of internal and external audits, and creation and maintenance of required documentation.
• Coordination of adjusting existing measures and implementing new measures according to the new standard’s requirements, as well as continuous monitoring and adjustment of these measures.
• Regular reporting to management on progress and risks.
• Senior consultant supporting audit reviews with a focus on critical infrastructures (KRITIS), including resolving findings, creating and updating evidence documents, and amending provider contracts.
• Senior consultant reviewing all deliverables and responsibilities of the IT provider according to the existing contract: identification of over 1500 deliverables & obligations (D&O), setup of a D&O tracker (claim register), and joint expert review with service owners for various service descriptions (e.g. IT service management, workplace and print services, application and desktop services, endpoint management, email including archiving, file services, software packaging, certification, distribution).
• Senior consultant adjusting service scopes in existing service descriptions to enable end-to-end service responsibility of the provider, including identification and analysis of use cases, process analysis and optimization (incident, problem, change), as well as recording and documenting all software products in LeanIX and documenting the contract change.
• Focused services: managed software service, application and desktop service, workplace and print services, web server service, container service, M365, SAP/Oscare, output management systems (OMS), telephony and omnichannel management service.
• Project manager steering a benchmark based on the existing IT contract, including coordination of the entire benchmark process between the benchmarker, IT provider and client, review of benchmark results, and preparation and conduct of price negotiations with the IT provider.

• General CTO responsibilities (architectural design, operational setup, external runtime product evaluation, investor buy-in, regulatory compliance).
• Software development oversight (implementation on deep-dive-in) plus workflow design.
• Product co-ownership.
• Tech/tools/frameworks: proprietary software (Java, JavaScript), Kubernetes, Postgres, MiniIO, Ollama (internal), several xAI API (external), OpenTofu (Terraform), Keycloak, Kafka, Prometheus, ELK Stack, GitHub, GitHub Workflows, Argo CD, ISO 27001, BSI-ISM, EU AI Act.

• Founded and lead a cybersecurity advisory firm focused on virtual CISO services for financial, SaaS, and critical infrastructure clients.
• Advise executive teams on cyber risk, regulatory compliance (DORA, NIS2, ISO 27001), and incident preparedness.
• Built and executed security programs from scratch, driving measurable maturity improvements.
• Delivered tailored risk assessments, policies, and cloud security guidance (AWS, Azure).
• Scaled the business through client acquisition, partnerships (Vanta, AWS, etc), and a network of senior consultants.

Leading Jefferies’ DORA-driven operational resilience programme by strengthening ICT risk governance, control design, and regulatory readiness across key technology and outsourcing domains. Partnering with senior stakeholders to translate regulatory requirements into pragmatic governance, reporting, and assurance processes suitable for a global investment banking environment.

• Developed the Enterprise Register of Information (DORA Art. 28.3) to align with regulatory requirements.
• Defined and embedded ICT Risk Appetite and tolerance levels aligned to the Global Operational Risk Framework, strengthening decision-making and risk acceptance governance.
• Drove audit readiness by reviewing and re-drafting 50+ IT & Information Security policies, improving clarity, ownership, and control alignment.
• Oversaw the Operational Resilience Testing Programme (including penetration testing) and tracked remediation to closure, strengthening control assurance and reducing open findings.
• Aligned 10+ intra-group agreements with DORA regulatory standards.
• Enhanced executive-level decision-making with an enterprise ICT Risk Dashboard featuring KPIs/KRIs.